"Didn't expect to run into this so soon…"
The Oro Jackson — it felt like her whole life at sea was spent surrounded.
In Orin's memory, the last time was the Battle of Edd War, when a lone ship had been encircled by enemy fleets.
Come to think of it, didn't Roger once say during the God Valley war that he was settling a grudge from a year prior?
Could it have been this siege he was talking about?
Orin wasn't flustered. Instead, he strolled unhurriedly toward the edge of the ship. Facing the gloomy gale, he gazed at the massive fleet in the distance.
Each pirate ship bore the sigil of Rocks. Countless pirates swarmed aboard, baring their teeth and brandishing blades and spears, glaring hungrily at the Roger Pirates.
Even before they drew close, their shouts were deafening.
"Die, Roger!!!"
"To reject Captain Rocks' offer — how arrogant you are!!!"
"This time, with so many captains joining the attack, the Roger Pirates are doomed…"
From among the fleet, a towering, burly man appeared — crescent-shaped white mustache, captain's hat, naginata in hand.
Boom—
He strode to the bow, his massive frame shaking the deck with every step.
His sheer aura sent shivers down the spines of the common crew.
On his shoulder perched a sultry beauty with short golden hair.
"It's Captain Newgate!!!"
For this captain — second only to Rocks in power, capable of shaking heaven and earth with a single swing — every pirate under Rocks' banner felt awe and dared not be reckless.
But Whitebeard ignored them. He simply gazed across at the Roger Pirates, lips curling into a broad, heroic grin.
"Kurararara… That fool Roger never expected Rocks to predict his movements and set up an ambush here."
"Newgate, huh? Every time there's a fight with Roger, you're always there~"
On the neighboring ship, a man clad in golden robes and biting down on a cigar responded.
"Jihahahaha, Roger's head will be mine to claim!!!"
Next to him, a bizarre ship — alive-looking — carried a massive, voluptuous woman who laughed as well.
"Mamamama… No, it'll be mine!"
She also didn't forget to warn her "little crewmate."
"And you, be careful out there, Kaido~"
"I know… but Roger absolutely cannot be allowed to escape this time."
Aside from a few absentees, this was practically an all-star lineup.
Three Yonko, one Sea Overlord.
And countless elite cadres and hardened pirates, all veterans of naval warfare.
"So damn cool!!!"
On one of Rocks' ships, a muscular mid-ranking leader — Keek — watched the many captains and cadres with shining eyes.
His twin blades glinted as he ground them together, itching for battle.
A crewmate beside him clapped his shoulder and grinned wryly.
"Oi, Keek, every time the captains move, you get too excited~ Those monsters are on a different level — we could never compare…"
Hearing the dampening words, Keek's eyes flashed with defiance. He didn't argue back, but inside he made a firm vow.
"The seas are vast, vast enough to bear countless dreams. One day, I too can become King!!!"
That was the way of the pirate world. When one had both dreams and the resolve to match them, the world always offered a chance.
Only… Keek's chance hadn't arrived yet.
...
"This lineup really is outrageous…"
Orin spotted the most recognizable figures at a glance. While a little different from his memory, they weren't far off.
Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and Big Mom — they were troublesome opponents Roger's crew had no choice but to take seriously.
Not to mention the sheer number of elite pirates…
The pressure from those captains and cadres was something only Roger's trio could shoulder.
"Well? Think you can handle it?"
Normally, Roger against Whitebeard was evenly matched — the two were old rivals.
Rayleigh could just about hold off Golden Lion. After all, the title of Roger's "Dark King" first mate wasn't for nothing.
Gaban could fight the enormous Linlin — his specialty fit that role perfectly.
As for the rest, Roger's crew were elite. They could likely hold their ground.
It would look disadvantageous, but escape would still be possible. The real issue was…
Orin had nearly gone all out when fighting Roger's crew earlier. Though he'd held back from killing blows and spared them critical injuries, their bandaged bodies, bruised faces, and swollen heads were proof their fighting strength had taken a serious hit.
Monsters healed fast, but not so fast as to recover instantly from a brutal battle.
Especially Rayleigh, who was still shaken from Orin's earlier kick.
"In your state now, you'll be wiped out for sure…"
Orin spread his hands helplessly at the bloodthirsty crew, who despite the odds looked thrilled. Even in a losing battle, they were unfazed.
Well, of course.
That was the Roger Pirates he knew…
...
"What nonsense!!! We are the Roger Pirates!!!"
"The Rocks Pirates? Not like we haven't fought them before."
"If they think our injuries make us easy prey, they're the ones in for a nasty surprise!!!"
Orin snapped his fingers, conjuring a chunk of meat with a bone, and gnawed at it to quickly restore stamina.
His cheeks bulged as he chewed, watching his fired-up old comrades with a wry grin.
"You guys… always trying to act tough…"
He smacked Roger's bandaged wound, making the man yelp, then smoothly drew Ace from his waist.
"Since I'm the one who injured you, of course I'll have my share in fighting Rocks!!!"
There was another sentence he kept in his heart.
After all… we're shipmates, aren't we?
"Let's go!!!"
With the fighting style he'd once shown on Roger's ship, Orin snapped his fingers again. Black leather gloves instantly appeared over his long hands.
As Roger and the others hurled themselves into battle, Orin raised his sniper rifle, searching for the first unlucky target. But as he peered through the scope, his sights fell upon an unusual figure…
"Wait… that's…"